The events surrounding Earth Day on Tuesday targeted a variety of people -- including fashion-savvy women at CU.

One event, a clothing exchange titled "Sustainable Women's Apparel Paraphernalia (SWAP)", allowed women to bring clothing they no longer like or wear and swap it for someone else's items.

"It's a sustainable way to clean out your closet and also to revitalize your fashion without having to go to Target or somewhere else," said Amy Harris, UCSU's sustainability director, co-chair of the campus's Environmental Justice steering committee and a volunteer for the event.

"It's important to understand that your individual impact and your consumer choices have an effect on the earth," Harris said. "When these ladies go home today they can say, 'Not only did I donate my clothes today, but instead of going and buying clothes that force people to work in sweatshops or caused a lot of resource use, instead I have a totally cute new wardrobe and it's completely sustainable.'"

Besides being environmentally friendly, the event coordinators said that it was a good way to attract women who often like to "chat and try on clothes."

The Women's Resource Center, which was asked to join the SWAP because of its focus on women at CU, said they thought the event was more about building a sense of community among the women on campus.

Julie Combest, one of the program coordinators at the women's center and a volunteer at the event, said the exchange was going so well in the day that they were expecting a few hundred women to show up.

"It's mostly about trying to draw all kinds of communities together for a sustainable environment," Combest said. "There's so many clothes, it's amazing."

Clothes left at the end of the day will be to be donated to the Boulder Safehouse Alliance.

"In that sense there's a social benefit too," said Harris about contributing to the Boulder Safehouse.

Keely Bannon, a "swapper" and a junior at CU said she is familiar with the idea of exchanging clothes with your friends or donating them.

"I try to just shop at thrift stores and not to buy stuff from corporations, so I think clothing swaps are great," Bannon said. "It's perfect if you're sick of wearing your old clothes."

Women found clothing items from all seasons including sunglasses, shoes and accessories. Though many styles were available, some of the donated designer items people were most excited about included clothing by Juicy Couture, True Religion jeans, Oakley and Aldo shoes.

"I think that one of the things that might have inspired this event is that so many people in Boulder throw away lots of stuff but in particular, really nice clothes that other people could use," said Hadley Brown, a senior at CU who was dropping off her old clothes and looking around for new ones.

Though it was not mandatory to bring clothing in order to take some home with you, those who donated were entered into a drawing for gift certificates to Stellar Clothing and Rags Consignment.

"This event is a way to empower people individually," Harris said. "Plus it's a fun community thing where the ladies can get together and try stuff and talk to each other."

Contact Caroline Murray about this story at (303) 443-6272, ext. 113, or at editor@coloradodaily.com.